Getting The Most Out Of Free Kitchen Design Software

Many people struggle at the initial planning stages when working on a kitchen design and really you don’t have to.  If you can create a list of things you absolutely want to have in a dream kitchen then you have a great starting point.  There are some great ways to use free kitchen design software to help you refine your ideas into an organized and beautiful kitchen. One of the things you will notice with free kitchen design software like the Ikea Kitchen Planner, Google Sketchup, and Smart Draw Kitchen is that they are all simple to use, have great help sections, and can allow you to experiment with different designs.  While these features are great they are really secondary to your dream list of features you want in your kitchen.  Let’s take a look at some of the key features you should consider in your new kitchen design. There is usually a feel to a kitchen, a country kitchen can have a warm, solid feel to it, rich wood and organic materials, you can almost smell an apple pie cooking when you think about it.  A contemporary kitchen typically has that slick and modern feel with a mix of stainless steel, glass, and wood that has a condo or New York loft feel.  There are many combinations and style of kitchen design, some people like to mix and match but it’s important to decide what feels right to you.  Start with some kitchen design magazines or walk through a kitchen store and see what feels like it fits you…then you can really focus on combinations of appliances and materials that will make the perfect design. One of the nice features of most kitchen design software programs is the integrated appliance resources that can let you switch between a 30″ fridge and a 36″ wide counter depth model.  Since appliance choice is one of the key limiting factors in your kitchen design you want to be able to see how these different size appliances affect your design layout.  Let’s say you have a 12′x15′ kitchen space and have the following on your dream list -kitchen island -espresso coffee machine -6 burner range top -counter depth fridge/feezer combo -farmer sink -glass doors to display glassware The next thing you need is good measurements of your kitchen to help you get an accurate plan started. Pick a corner to start at and measure out to the next structural obstacle like a window or door.  Measure the window and door as well including the height of the window off the floor so you can input these measurements.  Floor to ceiling height can help if you have high ceilings you can experiment with different cabinet heights where taller cabinets can be more dramatic but also more expensive.  Take all these measurements and plot them into the kitchen design software of your choice and you can start to see the bones for your design. Now that you have your kitchen template, save this as your start point…this will save time when you start a design and don’t like how it is going you can just erase it and start with your original template.  Take the time to try the sink in the island and on the regular counter to see if one option is preferred for you.  This is the time to experiment so don’t be afraid to try something new.  Save each new design you come up with and then refine and be more thoughtful about how you use your kitchen every day and you may find that some items will go while you add in other things.  look at your storage and lighting options in particular as they can make a big difference in your enjoyment of your kitchen. With a little bit of time and some fun experimenting with your kitchen reams you can start using kitchen design software and in an afternoon have some amazing designs.  Once you find the design that looks the best try laying out the cabinet dimensions with tape on the floor and walk around to see if paper meets reality with your kitchen design.